The palace at night was a different world. During the day, it shone — gold columns, gemstone chandeliers, perfumed courtiers, and fake smiles in silk robes. But at night?
It whispered.
Shadows moved differently. The wind carried secrets. The walls breathed with old magic that no one dared acknowledge. Not even the royals.
Riven couldn't sleep. The cursed choker around his neck tingled like cold fingers brushing his throat. It wasn't tight, but it reminded him he was watched. Controlled.
He paced the marble floors barefoot, silk robe clinging to his body. Moonlight poured through the tall windows, illuminating him like a ghost wrapped in temptation.
Suddenly — a knock.
"Enter," he said lazily, expecting a servant.
But it was Elias.
And he was out of breath.
His ceremonial robes were slightly open at the collar. His skin glistened faintly — either from sweat or divine energy. And his silver hair was wet, curling over his ears. He must've come straight from one of the temple's midnight rituals.
"You're… awake again," Elias said softly, stepping in.
"You already said that," Riven replied, not bothering to hide the amused glint in his eyes.
"I mean—" Elias flushed. "You weren't in your chambers. I thought… maybe the curse—"
"I'm cursed, not dead. Again."
A pause. Then Elias walked to the balcony where Riven stood moments ago.
"You don't talk the way you used to," Elias said. His voice was gentle, but his eyes were sharp now. Observing. Judging.
Riven moved behind him, slowly, like a predator amused by its prey. "That's because you never really listened before."
Elias stiffened.
Then — very softly — "You kissed me. Before you collapsed during the Ascension Ritual. Do you remember?"
Riven didn't. Because that wasn't him.
But he tilted his head and whispered in Elias's ear, "Did you like it?"
Elias turned, their faces inches apart. The holy aura around him shimmered faintly.
"I don't know what's happened to you," he whispered, his breath warm against Riven's cheek. "But I dreamt about that kiss for weeks. And now… you look like him. You feel like him. But your eyes…"
"Different?" Riven offered.
"Darker," Elias finished.
There was tension now. Thick, electric. Riven could feel Elias's heartbeat through the space between them. He was torn — was this his lover's memory reacting to him? Or something deeper?
He wanted to lean in. Just a little more. See if Elias would kiss him again — as Riven, not as Lucien.
But—
Magic flared. The choker burned.
Riven gasped, clutching his throat. It wasn't just heat — it was like being punched in the soul. The seal had reacted to a spike of emotional or magical energy.
Elias caught him.
"Don't move," he said, placing his glowing palm over Riven's chest. The holy magic flared, calm and warm — a blessing laced with desire.
And then… Elias leaned in.
His lips brushed Riven's cheek. Feather-light. Intentional.
A blessing. A memory. A temptation.
"You're not the Lucien I remember," Elias whispered.
"But whoever you are… you still make me feel like I'm burning."
And just like that, he was gone.
- - -
Riven stood alone, chest heaving. The choker's pain faded — but something else had awakened.
Desire? Confusion? Power?
He touched his chest where Elias's magic lingered.
Suddenly — his bedroom mirror shimmered.
And his reflection moved on its own.
The sigil on his chest glowed. His mirrored self stared at him and said, in a voice laced with echoes:
"You were reborn for a reason. Remember why you died."
The mirror cracked.
The sigil pulsed again.
And behind it all — the feeling that *something ancient* was watching. Not the palace. Not Kael. Not Elias.
Something else.
Something… waiting for him to choose.